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Wednesday, January 23, 2008

My 6 year old was assigned a family project to do this past week. Of course, being the highly ambitious family we are, we waited until the day before it was due to begin. Lex was given the outline of a snowman on card stock and, as a family, we were supposed to use anything but crayons and markers to decorate it. So, my kids dragged out my many boxes of craft supplies that are neatly stowed away in the attic.

Lex found some paint and immediately slapped a dozen colors on the snowman, smearing them around, covering every inch of his body. I looked at the brownish explosion of pain covering the snowman, and not wanting to squash Lexi's creativity, said, "What are you doing?! Do you really want it all BROWN like that? Does that look like a snowman? Don't you want some help? Can I help you with that Vicki? Please?"

This made me think back to when my mom wouldn't let me help her put tinsel on the Christmas tree. You see, she's insane a perfectionist. She passed this trait down to my sister. I, on the other hand, got the 'Eh, I'll slap it together and call it done' gene. I tried to hang tinsel the "right way". I really did. I started off carefully draping no more than two strands of the silvery stuff over the branch. I made sure each end of the tinsel hung equally on either side of the branch. I started doing this. But this method is boring. It takes too long. So before long, I would take fistfuls of tinsel and loft them up into the tree. Wads of silver strings stuck in clumps between the branches. My mom and sister would stop what they were doing and openly gasp, staring in shock, at me. My method was completely unacceptable to the perfectionist in them and I was fired from my post every year.

I tried really hard to help Lexi with her project without completely taking over. There's a fine line to walk in situations like this. "Should we make a dress or pants? Do you want to use pink fabric or blue? Do you want beads, gems, or buttons for eyes?" Give them choices and let them create, I say.

As they went through my numerous containers filled with crap stuff I'm never going to use, I came to the conclusion that I have a problem finishing what I start. Seriously, I have this huge container of fabric. I don't sew. I don't own a sewing machine. I've never learned how to sew. In fact, I'm not sure I could handle reattaching a button. So why is it that I have 287 pounds of fabric? Because you never know - some day I might just learn. Yes, I know. I have a problem. One day, they'll find me buried in my house among a trillion boxes of miscellaneous stuff, half a dozen cats eating Cap'N'Crunch because I haven't been able to find the cat food for days, another half dozen cats stuck in boxes of macrame supplies ordered from eBay because who knows? - one day I might go back to the 70s and learn how to make some groovy wall decorations.

Actually since joining a twelve step program, I've made some progress. I'm letting go of some of the things I've collected for projects I haven't even started. You might recall seeing some of my eBay auctions for unused sewing patterns...

"I bought this pattern at a fabric store thinking that I’d make my girls cute outfits to wear. However, because my sewing skills, much to my mother’s chagrin, consist of hot glue and duct tape, the pattern sits here untouched. My plans of learning how to sew have been replaced by plans of selling this pattern in an attempt to get some of my money back. If you do indeed know how to sew, I’m sure you could make absolutely adorable outfits with this pattern. This pattern is not cut. In fact, I’ve not even opened the envelope and taken the pattern out. If you, unlike me, know how to turn an envelope full of sheets of tissue paper with black markings on them, into a dress, then this item is for you! In fact, if you’re really good at sewing, you could make a few outfits, come up with your own exclusive label, open an eBay store, and sell them for many times the cost of the fabric. I would certainly much prefer to buy the finished product online as opposed to figuring out how to make it myself. Anyway, you’re bidding on this brand new, never opened pattern. Regular USPS shipping on this item if FREE! If you want it mailed Priority, I will be happy to do that at your expense - just email me with instructions. Insurance is optional, but once I drop the package at the post office, it is no longer my responsibility. For example, if my son decides to pour a bottle of glue into the envelope, or my daughter spills a glass of juice on the pattern, that’s my responsibility and I will fully refund your money. If, however, I take the envelope to the post office and a disgruntled mail carrier sets fire to it, a pack of wild dogs rip into it, or a mail sorting machine shreds it, it’s out of my hands, so you may want to add insurance. I will leave feedback for you as soon as I’ve received your payment. This comes from a smoke-free, pet-free home. Please ask me any questions before placing your bid. Happy bidding! :)

Bin of fabric for no apparent purpose

Bag full of yarn and half-finished crochet projects

Almost finished cross stitch project. I started this almost 14 years ago. I should finish it any day now.

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A bunch of stuff you just never know if you'll need.

More important stuff

And yet more stuff. You just never know when you're going to need pom poms, embroidery floss, beads, and green ric rac.

LOL! The product of my brief stint with jewelry making. I have a couple dozen of these. Shhhh, don't tell my family - this is what they're getting for Christmas. Maybe wrapped in tinsel. ;)

70 comments:

I am the exact same way about starting projects and NEVER finishing them! I started a cross-stitch of my parents' wedding picture to give them for their 30th anniversary...that was 4 years ago and I haven't even touched the thing in over two years. Does it get any easier when the kids are a little more grown up? (My four kiddos are 9 months up to 8 years old.)

go for it...sell it all on e-bay...have a garage sale.. but..you never know when a snowman (snowperson) will need to be bordered in green rickrack...or feathers..or sequins..or.... and then you'll be sorry!!

Oooh! I need that! It will look great in my closest with my stuff! I am still delusional that I will actually do something with it! My granddaughter (age 3) keeps dragging around several yards of pink flannel asking me to make her a blanket out of it. I bought the flannel to make *her mother* a baby blanket! Hey! It could still happen!

you can donate all that stuff to a girl scout troop near by if you want to get rid of it. lol. my brownies would love to get ahold of all that stuff. i need to start getting rid of stuff myself. my house is being way to cluttered for my likeing. kewl jewelry too by the way ;)

The tinsel incident was played at my house yearly as well. My mother (still) puts it on one strand at a time and I went for the toss and let gravity work method. You can't see the tree for all the tinsel.

Tears were shed many years over the tinsel but now I'm not alone! Thanks Dawn! I have since resorted to garland...always neat tinsel now! And the cats don't eat it and cost me a fortune in vet bills! Bonus!

Dawn I too have fabric. I do tho own a sewing machine although my 2 little boys have lost the metal plate piece that goes over bobbin section. I bought fabric at goodwill thinking wow I could make some really cool curtains. Yea right. I use to make all kinds of crafts when my older kids were little but now with these 2 little ones I cant take my eyes off them for a minute cause if I do I will regret it big time. sigh such is the life of an OLD mom.

I could just picture myself in your place on the tinsel story. I don't use it anymore. Partly because of that and partly because my DH hates it.

And I have to just learned to walk away from projects. I can't not take over and if I try to "help" I go crazy wanting to take over. I find it's best to walk away and help (take over) when they call me. Oh it is sooo hard!!

I'm lusting after that fabric - because someday I am going to learn how to quilt. I've got my own box of fabric waiting for that fabled day. And you're not as bad as me - you don't have two tubs full of unused stamping stuff. And a tub full of yarn that I've decided not to use because it's acrylic and wool knits up more nicely (I'm trying to think how to sneak it out of the house and then refill it with wool without my husband noticing any damage on the credit card)....And the container full of pretty cotton yarn that I use for crochet (in theory)....and don't even talk to me about the (unused) scrapbooking supplies.

Gosh! I'm glad to learn I'm not alone in my arts 'n' crafts hoarding. Just count your blessings that your favorite pursuit isn't photography. I have more cameras and gear than I can count. I also keep a selection of frames, lots of them, on hand just in case someone might actually purchase a photo or want something I've framed up. At last count, I have almost 50 (larger than 11x14 and up to 24x36)) framed photos just waiting for the right buyer. Yikes!

Don't throw that stuff out until the kids are all in college! Projects, halloween costumes, posters, etc...these never stop. You should start searching ebay for a bulk order of poster board. I am always running to the store at 9 p.m. the night before the project is due. Then you get to choose between the last two colors - neon green and neon pink. Nothing like a US History report on neon poster board. But, with your supplies, you could cover the green poster board with patriotic fabric. (I'd use your navy polka dot fabric)

Well, if I had a working sewing machine, I'd take some of that off your hands. Alas, my machine broke and, since it is cheaper to get a new one rather than get one repaired, my hubby and I had fun one night taking the broken one apart. Did you know that the motor of a sewing machine can assist in making a great propeller for an airplane? Just push the pedal and off it goes. Of course it doesn't fly, but if you sit at it it makes a nice breeze for hot days. The rest of the machine sits, a naked, silver skeleton, in the garage...with all the parts in a ziplock baggie, waiting for us to admit it is beyond repair (or the repairman would charge us probably $1000 to fix it). We should just throw it away.

I think you're my long-lost sister! I have boxes and boxes of "stuff" that I just might someday need, too! My husband occasionally suggests that I just throw it away because I never use it, but I just tell him that I might need it or the kids might need it for a school project. You just never know. I also have a huge box full of fabric. Do I sew? No. Do I own a sewing machine? No. I do, however, know how to sew on a button, but then again, I have several shirts just hanging in my closet wondering when I am ever going to sew their buttons back on.

You have stuff? Are you sure we're not related? I have so darn much "stuff", sometimes I wonder how I managed to acquire it all. When my BF and I moved in together, I surrendered a lot of my stuff because his was a lot nicer. I kept the craft stuff, the mending stuff, and a lot of stuff from way back when. Who knows if/when I'll ever have a use for any of it? But, little by little, I'm finding reasons to keep it all....

Well, Dawn, that is just about the state of my sewing room, complete with cats! I do manage to finish some projects (for example, I would go insane if I didn't cross stitch at least a little every day) but I buy patterns and stuff at about 10 times the rate I finish things. Sigh. My one resolution this year is to not buy ANY cross stitch patterns or kits, and to finish at least 2 in the giant bin of "projects in process." So far so good, 24 days into the year!

Have you thought of maybe having a craft yard sale? Or donating stuff to charities? My friend, a professional organizer, makes me do semi-annual runs to local charities just to unload boxes of 25-year-old craft items (crap) out of my house. Thank goodness or else I'd end up with a house stacked to the ceiling and only narrow pathways to walk through...

LOL! I do sew but I have a stash of fabric that you wouldn't believe...who has time with 5 children?

Seriously though, if you'd like that x-stitch project finished, I'd be happy to knock it out for you (x-stitch is my 1st love) Email me at mbvmflutist@hotmail.com and maybe we could work something out.

Dawn, I know you get like 10000 comments a day here, but this one is an offer of help. I'm a bit of a dork, I know, but I am a 31 year old female who enjoys crocheting. In fact, I make blankets to donate to Target House (associated with St. Jude) and a friend who works with the homeless. Yup, a dork. Anyway, the offer of help is this - I will finish your crochet project for you for FREE. Then you can give it to your daughter or friend or whomever it was intended for and tell them it was homemade. They don't have to know it wasn't exactly 100% homemade by you. It can be our secret :)

Seriously, just let me know if you'd like some help. I can't sew and I don't know how to use much of your other "crap," but I can crochet! Again, I'm a big dork.

First time I have felt compelled to leave a comment....your compulsion to acquire/retain craft supplies equals my own. Daughter #3 ran in to see why I was yelling "this woman is inside my brain!!" Not only am I a used-to-be avid cross-stitcher and a I'll-sew-but-only-for-craft-purposes seamstress (with the fabric collection that entails), I also have the inherited sewing room contents of several dearly departed relatives AND the any-minute-now supplies for some crafts I hope to learn....when I have my time better organized. Having also taken up scrapbooking in recent years, my craft room/office has now spilled into a second room with the departure of Daughter #1 for college. You mentioned a 12-step program....I think I need to guest star on Clean Sweep. *gulp*~~Laurie (Okla.)

I think you raided MY attic! Although I have a sewing machine hiding inside a desk... I haven't sewn anything in at least 8 years! And the crochet projects... and the cross-stitch... and the buttons... and the jewelry supplies (ok, I actually just acquired those and used them to make book thongs for Christmas... much simpler than jewelry! But, I wonder how many thousand years I'll keep the supplies without touching them. Now that I know I can use them to decorate snowmen, I might never give them up!)

I've read a lot but never commented...until I saw my stuff. I'm more then a little convinced you have pictures of my craft supplies...the supplies that are often bought seldom used...the supplies that were on clearance and I just couldn't pass up even though, before that moment, I didn't know I needed them....the supplies that I have bought and built shelves, containers, boxes and more shelves to organize so I could get to them and actually use them...the supplies that have their own room while my boys share a room.

That is my fabric that I bought to make my daughter a dress without a pattern because I can't read them...that is my yarn for the blanket I started while pregnant with my now four year old...that is my modpodge and wood shapes that I fully intend to make funky and unique wall art using only those supplies and old magazines. (I'm sure I saw that on HGTV and it onky took them 37 seconds!!)

I've often felt as if your life and mine were very similar, now I know it's because you are just reading my mail, tapping my phone and trying to be me ('cause you have time for that right??) -hm, too bad there's not a sarcasm tag...

But I don't understand how you came to my house, dug out my craft boxes from the basement, opened them, photographed them, put them away & left without me knowing?

I am NOT the only person who has numerous plastic bins full of crafting stuff!!!

Not only do I collect & hoard crafting, sewing stuff, fabric, craft magazines, craft projects, etc.... but last year I joined a craft club, where they send me a new & different craft project every month. Why, because I liked the project they were showcasing & it was only $18 a month-what a bargain!!!!

Thanks for the laughs every day-I love reading about you & your family.

LMAO Dawn!! My house isn't cluttered with never finished projects, mine is cluttered with stuff that is on its way to the storage shed that hasn't quite gotten there yet, lol.Yet I know it took me about 2 years to finish a crossstitched pillow with butterflies and flowers that was quite pretty after it was done ( until my friend got drunk, laid down and then threw up on it!! about 6 months later).I'm now into crocheting and have finished what I started so far but we'll see how that goes.We had to do a project like Lexi's only we had a turkey at thanksgiving. there were some interesting turkeys out there let me tell ya.

I too have a problem walking the fine line in "helping" my daughter with projects from school. My mom was the perfectionist, and I think I accidently picked up on some of that although I fight it in trying to offer fun choices. As for the fun and unusual crafty stuff....you just never know when you'll need that!

Girl sign up for freecycle.org for your area. LIst offer; boxes of great craft (dont say crap no matter now tempting) supplies. PLease take all. Put box on front steps and experience freedom. Stay away from craft store esp the sale aisle. This is how this went down in my house anyway.... ahem... Why do I buy craft stuff? I never do them! And if you DO finish your cross stitch the other stinkers/kids will want to know where THEIRS is, so I suggest throwing it away right now. lol

OH MY WORD!!I thought I was bad! You, my dear take the cake, the blue ribbon, (I'm sure you've got one in there, make it yourself) the golden prize. You are the Queen of Useless Stuff Saving!Love those macrame owls BTW!

I think everyone with kids has a craft box/pile/overflowing cabinet somewhere in their home. In my former life I was a teacher so I have an extended collection that includes 7 year old colored noodles. At least yours still appears to be able to be contained in the boxes! We need a picture of that finished snowman!

I don't even want to talk about how many unfinished projects I own...lol! In all seriousness, the cross stitched piece is lovely, e-mail me if you'd like help getting it finished, maybe I can help. I'm an avid stitcher...

Holy Cow!!! I am not alone!!! I started a "baby" cross stitch project for my son before he was born. He is almost 22 years old and it STILL isn't done. I figure I may as well wait until my first grandchild in on the way. See? I'm way ahead, not behind. Thanks for the laughs!!

At first I thought, "Oh my God, we were separated at birth! I collect all that stuff, too! I start projects and NEVER finish them." But then, I saw how many more people were just like us that I knew we couldn't all be separated at birth! But, I have the perfect solution for you to get rid of some of the "stuff"... you have to move! But not just once because you'll just move it if it's only once. You have to move at least twice. And move across several states! You'll say to yourself, "This is all crap that I'm never going to use!" And you'll throw most of it away.... but not all of it because I still have some after two moves. :)

Well thank you for making me feel better about not getting my cross stitch done for my daughter who will soon be 11. I finished my soon to be 14 yr. old son's cross stitch (even framed and hung on the wall!!), my daughters never got finished and my youngest son, well let's just say I never even bought a kit for him. Lot's of great intentions get interrupted by children. Maybe I will do them when they all go off to college.

LOL. I thought I was the only weird-o, but apparently not. I too have boxes of left-over "crafty crap", as I call it. Add onto that list sparkles, scrapbook paper (with their accompanying half-finished scrapbooks), foam balls, and all the stinkin' thread my aunt gave me to make bracelets with that I never made the time to make. Hmm, E-bay is sounding like a GREAT idea! You're a genius, Dawn!

I usually read your posts to my husband (who thinks taht you MUST be making this stuff up, no one's life is NEARLY that funny...), but on this occasion I chose not to. Why? Because I, too, share your love of having stuff that "I might need someday" or projects that I started years ago and never finished. I was so proud of myself the other day, though, as I went through my pile of "mending" and ACTUALLY MENDED EVERYTHING! There were 8 missing buttons, a couple of ripped seams, and a pocket that needed to be stitched back onto a sweatshirt. I FELT VICTORIOUS! On top of that, I even managed to make a cute pair of tennis shoes for my 2 year old (I'll be posting pics on my blog soon...). BTW - I also started a cross-stitch for my son 13 years ago - although I think you got WAY more done on yours than I did on mine...oh well. I like the idea one of your other readers had - finish it for your son's firstborn...you gotta figure that you have at least 5 or more years left for that one!

I, too, got the bug to be crafty many years ago. But the fever to craft was replaced with something similar to insanity. I can't just make a few things, I have to take over the world and make every single version of that thing and give it all away to my poor friends and relations. Just how many bean filled sock snowmen does one person need?! Have a garage sale, or put it out on the curb with a "Free" sign. Or a local nursing home or preschool might like some of it.

As I was looking through your craft storage bins and etc. I was thinking of "Barney"... Specifically the part of the show that they dump Barneys bunch of stuff unto the table and the kids make a mess...opps I mean a masterpiece......

You're definitely not the only one with stuff for "just in case". I finally decided that it's okay to toss it if I can easily replace it should the day actually come that I DO need it. Somehow, that makes me feel okay about throwing it away.

Pat in Dakar (postcard for Austin leaving the country in Feb.)
said...

I have the same boxes, with slightly different but very similar contents. And last year I was so happy and proud when my 94 year old Grandmother gave me HER boxes. Now I have twice as much as before. Her stuff is not only never going to be used by me, but it's also antique - there's no way I could give it up! Here's what I do to use it up, though: I don't buy nice wrapping paper anymore. When I have to wrap a gift, I wrap it in plain brown paper (or tin foil) and then go wild with decorating, using supplies from my boxes. Yes, buttons, ribbons, wool, yarn, even the dreamcatchers could be used...

So you understand the tinsel thing too. I just refuse to use tinsel now in favor of three different colors of garland that my daughter shoves into all of the barren spots and hangs ornaments from. This year she also hung toilet paper and our vacuum cleaner attachment on it too. When you have kids you just have to let that stuff go.

OMG sooo funny!I just aquired my moms old sewing machine...cos I'm gonna use it right? Right?? Please tell me I'm gonna use it someday!!!Sigh...And I love the macrame owls...my MIL has one of those actually hanging in her living room. Every time we go there I hope for it to be gone - I've been married for almost 10 years so I think it's kinda hopeless.

Oh wow, I think I have finally found the advantage to the forced military moves every couple of years, can't collect all of the craft goodies for too long. ;) But heck if you ever decide to just give any of it away, I know a soon to be (once again) elementary teacher that could use it. ;) Or there is an idea, you can probably donate it to the art program at the kids schools.

Dear DawnI can't wait to read the comments; they are always so funny!I love to do crafts & sew and can realate your boxes of "stuff". I love the cross stitch project! One time my sister and I were in the fabric department and I was trying to get her to buy a vest pattern that took an hour. Just an hour. Not bad huh? She said ,"an hour ! That takes too long!" (!)God bless,Elaine in B'ham, Alabama

Imagine what would happen if we all piled our craft "stuff" together. That would be one mighty big mountian of "stuff". When my oldest son was about three he referred to my mom's "Craft Room" as her "Crap Room", which was really a better description. I think this craft "stuff" condidition is also hereditary. You are the best, can't wait for the book!

What is so sad about this is that as I was looking at your pictures I was wishing I had so many interesting craft items hidden away in my storage...and I too would probably not get them out enough to make it worth while...PACKRATS UNITE!!!

My stuff looks like your stuff Dawn! I wonder if everyone's stuff looks like that? One of the reasons I love being a teacher...is that I have a classroom...with cupboards and drawers...for my stuff! Need something? Come to room 10! I've got it!

You have no right to complain about the random crafting crap you own. I have a 3 drawer rubber maid thingy full of scrap fabrics and no, i don't sew either. I DO, however, knit, but not enough to use up the 2 super jumbo hip hugger laundry baskets full and overspilling of yarn..... it's my addiction..... shall we go to the 12 step program together? "My name is Melissa and i'm a packrat-aholic"...... "hi Melissa".......

I had a bunch of this, "just in case" stuff, mostly handed down from my mom, who still believes I CAN sew and I have a desire (neither are true, despite her best efforts). But the cure for getting rid of the stuff, move. Yup, all you need is a stress crazed move to make you throw everything out that you MIGHT use someday and start from scratch. Now, I'm slowly rebuilding my crap pile, but its different this time, I assess the item as it enters my home and immediately send it to the "vacation fund box" aka garage sale box. So organized hu? Anyhow, enjoy the stuff, let the kids have fun and thank your lucky stars you aren't packing it all for 3 months :) Thanks for the blog and the laughs!

Geez o pete, Dawn - you and I are sisters under the skin! At present, there are 25 unfinished sewing projects stuffed in bins and a file cabinet in my sewing room (which also doubles as the homeschool room, which is why I sew on my dining room table, which is never used to actually eat on, but I digress...) Anyway, all my junk is leftover crap from my "I can make cuter Barbie clothes than the ones from the store" phase. There are also my unfinished crosstitch projects (I can't see print that small anymore without my reading glasses and looking over the rim just wrecks me). I am the QUEEN of Unfinished!

OMG! Those owls!!! I MADE those owls once upon a decade, they hung in our bathroom when I was a kid! You crack me up, you inspire me and I love that I can read about your misadventures everyday. Thank you, for being and for sharing.

I am your long, lost twin. I had several boxes of stuff to paint t-shirts with. THe iron on, wonder under (Fabric glue like stuff you iron on the material and iron on the fabric). I finally donated the boxes to a church school.

My newest boxes have scrapbook stuff, rubber stamping stuff anf jewelry stuff. If my husband knew how much stuff was rally down there (probably 5 figures) he would have a cow! Then I would take his picture and scrap it!!!

Last week, my 5 year old son had to make a valentine's day mailbox. I had to use my self control not to take over the project. I gave hime cool scrapbook paper, and a ton of stickers to use. All I did was cut the paper to fit the mailbox and glue it (so it would be straight). Very difficult to sit back and watch.

I can't believe how many different kinds of craft supplies you have! I teach elementary school and would be in heaven to have that many supplies for my art program! If you really don't want most of it, see if you can donate it to one of your kids' teachers. I am sure they would appreciate it!